November 2015 – O-blog-dee-o-blog-da

Ugandan Journalist Refugee Arrives in Miami After Speaking Against the Anti Gay Legislation

November 26, 2015

After much courage and hardship we welcome Andrew Ssebulime, a young hero, to America. An extraordinary journey by a resilient young man. Now our hope is that the Miami community will embrace Andrew and make him feel welcome! By Melanie Nathan, November, 25, 2015. A journalist, who fled Uganda in fear of his life, has… More Ugandan Journalist Refugee Arrives in Miami After Speaking Against the Anti Gay Legislation

Uganda Passes Repressive Anti NGO Bill

November 26, 2015

” Organizations involved with LGBT issues and human rights defenders will be especially hard hit as the onerous legislation will impinge upon basic freedoms, democracy and human rights. Democracy weeps!” Melanie Nathan, Executive Director, African Human Rights Coalition. By Melanie Nathan, November 26, 2015. We have received a report that the Ugandan Parliament, today, passed… More Uganda Passes Repressive Anti NGO Bill

AIDS Quilt Documentary “The Last One” Plans World AIDS Day Screenings

November 25, 2015

Film Spotlights AIDS Memorial Quilt; Reveals Progress, Setbacks and Hope in the Quest to End AIDS; Youth Campaign (Combining the Quilt Display with Screenings of the Film) Aims to Remind Young People About the History of HIV/AIDS and the Seriousness of the Disease Posted by Melanie Nathan, November 24, 2015. NEW YORK, NY– Red Thread Productions… More AIDS Quilt Documentary “The Last One” Plans World AIDS Day Screenings

Bias Media Reports on 21 Nigerian Students Allegedly Involved in Homosexual Activities

November 22, 2015

|Melanie Nathan, November 22, 2015. Police in Asaba, Delta State, Nigeria have arrested 21 students who they allege are homosexuals. We have not independently verified this report. Several agencies are reporting and it originated in PUNCH News. According to Punch News, a reliable source reported that the suspects were arrested at two state-owned polytechnics (names… More Bias Media Reports on 21 Nigerian Students Allegedly Involved in Homosexual Activities

HELP to Express Outrage as 47 Turncoat Democrats Vote Against Syrian Women and Orphan Refugees

November 21, 2015

hese Democrats allowed themselves to get hauled into a vote on minimal notice and were suckered into the Republican narrative, without doing extensive research. That one terrorist in Paris turned us against refugees is a sign of cowardice and gives the terrorists the upper hand, a victory. We have allowed them to further victimize the most vulnerable victims of their murderous campaign. I am ashamed of these Democrats – truly ashamed!

… More HELP to Express Outrage as 47 Turncoat Democrats Vote Against Syrian Women and Orphan Refugees

Observing Transgender Day of Remembrance

November 20, 2015

TLDEF Observes Transgender Day of Remembrance Posted by Melanie Nathan, Nov 20, 2015. New York, NY- The Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) commemorates the 17th Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR), a day to memorialize all those lost to anti-transgender violence and to honor the spirit and resilience of transgender people worldwide. TDOR began in… More Observing Transgender Day of Remembrance

One Million Moms Anti Gay Tirade Against Campbell’s Soup And Foster Kids

November 12, 2015

TAKE ACTION BELOW – Thanks To Campbell’s Soup for Including Everyone! By Melanie Nathan, November 12, 2015. The anti-gay organization, One Million Moms, is extremely busy, as of late. They have been asserting their fundamentalist extreme right wing prowess by pretending to be ‘morality’ police. When Campbell’s Soup used a a same-sex married couple with… More One Million Moms Anti Gay Tirade Against Campbell’s Soup And Foster Kids

BBC Report on Ugandan LGBT Refugees in Kenya Speaks to Regret

November 10, 2015

While Failing to Note that the Choices are Few to None! By Melanie Nathan, November 09, 2015. Here is a BBC TV report for which I provided consultation. I have posted the BBC transcript report here. The TV version with pictures can be seen on the BBC website. The report while providing crucial exposure, leaves… More BBC Report on Ugandan LGBT Refugees in Kenya Speaks to Regret

Western New England University School of Law

University Resolution Supports Nondiscrimination Protection for Transgender Individuals

November 9, 2015

Posted by Melanie Nathan, November 09, 2015. The Western New England University School of Law faculty voted unanimously on Friday, November 6, 2015, in favor of a resolution of support for pending legislation that would expand nondiscrimination protection for transgender individuals in businesses and other facilities that are open to the public, including within higher… More University Resolution Supports Nondiscrimination Protection for Transgender Individuals

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services HHS

TLDEF Urges Administration to Adopt Rule to Improve Transgender Health Access

November 9, 2015

Submits Comments to HHS Supporting Broadest Possible Rule to Ban LGBT Health Care Discrimination Posted by Melanie Nathan, November 09, 2015. New York, NY – The Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) today submitted comments to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), expressing support for improving the health and wellness of transgender Americans… More TLDEF Urges Administration to Adopt Rule to Improve Transgender Health Access

Colombian Constitutional Court Rules Same-sex Couples can Adopt

November 6, 2015

By Melanie Nathan, November 06, 2015. In a victory for the country’s LGBT community, the Colombian Constitutional Court ruled on November 4, 2015, that same-sex couples in Colombia can adopt children. Previously couples could only adopt a child if it was the offspring of one of the partners, but after hours of debate a 6-2… More Colombian Constitutional Court Rules Same-sex Couples can Adopt

Largest Jewish Religious Group in U.S. Embraces Transgender Rights

November 5, 2015

Posted by Melanie Nathan, November 05, 2015. The Union for Reform Judaism met in Orlando, Florida this week, for its biennial conference, where it endorsed a policy detailing specific steps to be taken by synagogues to thwart discrimination against transgender people. Included is the crucial adoption of gender-neutral language and the provision of gender-neutral restrooms,… More Largest Jewish Religious Group in U.S. Embraces Transgender Rights

Petition to Remove Super Bowl From Houston

November 4, 2015

Posted by Melanie Nathan, November, 03, 2015. After yesterday’s vote in Houston, Texas that repealed anti-discrimination protections for LGBT people, a petition has sprung up on Change.org calling for the NFL to relocate the 2017 Super Bowl from Houston. Michael Jones, Deputy Managing Director, North America, Change.org notes:- “The petition, started by football fan Ben… More Petition to Remove Super Bowl From Houston

Houston Equal Rights Ordinance Repealed

November 3, 2015

Houston voters reject non-discrimination protections for gay and transgender people Posted by Melanie Nathan, Nov 03, 2015. The Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) responded to news that voters have repealed the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance (HERO), which banned discrimination against Houstonians in housing, employment, public accommodations and city services. It protected residents from public… More Houston Equal Rights Ordinance Repealed

Sen. Bob Casey Asks DOJ for Guidance on Annulment of Gay Partner Adoptions

November 2, 2015

By Melanie Nathan, November 02, 2015. Years ago many gay partner couples entered into adoptions thinking that the possibility of marriage would never be a reality in their lifetimes. Entering into an adoption guaranteed these couples certain legal protections like hospital visitations and inheritance rights. In the wake of the recent Supreme Court decisions in… More Sen. Bob Casey Asks DOJ for Guidance on Annulment of Gay Partner Adoptions

Condemnation for New York State Senator’s Criticism of Transgender Rights